Yearly Archives: 2024

NH Educators Oppose Efforts to Expand Unaccountable Voucher Scheme 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate Education Committee heard testimony on two bills that would expand our state’s private school voucher program – SB 442 and SB 522.   Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided the following statement after the hearings:  “At a time when New Hampshire should be investing more in public education and building environments where all students can be successful, it is disappointing that some lawmakers want to divert even more public funds for private and religious school costs. We know how to improve educational outcomes and we’re counting on New Hampshire’s elected officials to […]

A white sign held in front of the Legislative Office Building reads: Support Our Public Schools"
A photo of the New Hampshire State House dome.

PRESS RELEASE: Bipartisan NH Senate Vote Moves SB 217 Forward to Establish a Rural and Underserved Area Educator Incentive Program for Higher Education 

CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 217-FN on a voice vote, to create a student loan forgiveness program for educators who work in rural and underserved areas. This initiative would help rural school districts recruit and retain educators by providing up to $12,000 for public school educators to pay off their college loans. The bill next goes to Senate Finance for further consideration.  Student debt assistance is one recommendation contained in a recently released legislative report that identified contributing factors to New Hampshire’s teacher shortage and outlined findings to address the crisis.   Megan Tuttle, President of […]

First Week of 2024 Session Starts with Action on Retained Bills and Hearings on Extreme Voucher Expansion Bills and “Parental Bill of Rights”

This is the first week of the 2024 Legislative Session. The state Senate is in session on January 3 and the House of Representatives is in session on January 3 and 4.   Let’s start with a state legislature primer/refresh. In New Hampshire, all bills eventually get a floor vote in their respective chamber. First up this week, the House and Senate will act on all bills that were held in committees from last year (retained bills). Each bill has a recommendation from the committee it was heard in. Committee recommendations include Ought to Pass (OTP), Ought to Pass with […]